Throughout Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights, the character Catherine Earnshaw goes through several changes. Although she dies halfway through the story, the changes in her personality greatly affect the outcome of the story, and are what cause her to marry Edgar Linton in preference of Heathcliff.
             At the beginning of the story, Catherine is described as "wild" and "free spirited". It is because of her rough and unruly nature that she is attracted to Heathcliff, and the two fall in love. However her character drastically changes throughout the story. When she hurts her leg and is forced to say at the neighboring house, Thushcross Grange with the Linton's, she returns to Wuthering Heights as a dignified, well-dressed lady. She was easily swayed to the superior life style of the Linton's, and began to look down upon her old friend and soul mate Heathcliff. She even laughs at Heathcliff's rough and dirty appearance. Catherine becomes more and more selfish by the minute and try's to change Heathcliff, and begins to feel that he is inferior to her.
             "I did not mean to laugh at you," she said; "I could not hinder myself: Heathcliff, shake hands at least! What are you sulky for? It was only that you looked odd. If you wash your face and brush your hair, it will be all right: but you are so dirty! (94)."
             Because of her new upbringing and way of life found at the Grange, she begins to see Edgar as more of a "gentleman", and spends more and more time with him. However, she claims to be in love with Heathcliff and says that they have the same soul.
             "My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath: a source of little visible delight, but necessary. Nelly, I am Heathcliff" (122)."
             Although she is well aware that her love for Edgar is bound to change as time passes, she still is obsessed by her love for Heathcliff she confirms it in the above quotation and by saying that she will never, ever be...